Public Invited to Mason Screening of “Bully” on Oct. 3

Mason City Schools will bring the widely acclaimed documentary, ”Bully,” to the Mason Middle School auditorium on Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 6-8pm. All members of the community are invited to attend the free event, however, the movie is rated PG-13 and parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under age 13.

Following the movie, Mason’s school counselors in grades K-8 and A.C.F. Counseling will facilitate discussion with viewers. At the heart of preventing bullying and cruelty is creating strong, caring school communities. Discussion will focus on the key roles that everyone can play—staff, students and parents—in creating a respectful community and preventing bullying.

Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children. As teachers, administrators, kids and parents struggle to find answers, The Bully Project examines the dire consequences of bullying through the testimony of strong and courageous youth. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole.

For more information about the movie screening, contact Shannon Norman, MMS counselor, at 513-398-6012, ext. 4.